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About this project

The Book

Apocalypse Springs: Reanimation is a story about a man in Colorado Springs who has to fight against his physical disability and his mental problems in order to move with his friends to safety in the midst of the "zombie apocalypse." This is the first book in a science fiction series.

This story began as one of my creative writing projects for my own benefit, but it was quickly transformed into a viable book and series idea by the input of my creative writing improv group. What started as a science fiction story of a man in an abandoned city has become a story about a growing pandemic.

In short, the story involves a man known only to others as Jester. He is a man whose war injuries and bipolar disorder have lent themselves to a self-destructive nature, held at bay by the mentorship and care of a defrocked minister and former Irish Army Ranger. The story begins after Jester wakes up from "falling off the wagon" and he is immediately thrown into the bedlam of an overrun city.

As Jester and his friends are constantly pinned between the so-called "Reanimates" and a task force of mercenaries who call themselves the Hellion Battalion, Jester's fluctuation between mania and depression serve as a greater threat to the group's survival than the diseased cannibals and constant gunfire that surround them on every side.

While there is plenty of action to be had in Apocalypse Springs, the greater story is Jester's personal struggle to cope with his ailments and deal with his doubts in everything he has ever known. When Jester's mistakes become a liability to the survival of the group, it falls upon him to become the leader he needs to be or die trying.

I have already been working on this book for six years--research, writing, rewriting, learning the craft, and going through zombie-genre pieces to see what's already out there. I know my predecessors, and I know the expectations of you, my Backers. I am prepared to be completely finished with writing by April, and to have all rewards out to their Backers by the end of the year.

To accomplish that, I'm working with a group of professionals and friends who have worked in project management prior to this Kickstarter. While I work on writing the best long-form novel I can, they're going to have my back, working on the logistics and making sure things get to where they're going.

When I'm not writing, I'll be interacting with my Backers and fans to get their input and answer their questions. I'm huge on interaction with my audience, and while I can't be "on call" twenty-four hours a day like I want to be, I'm going to work to do the best I can to make sure I deliver quality products on time.

Risks and challenges

Most of our complications will probably come about because of misprints on T-shirts and books, changes in dates of events like ZombieCon, or other problems. While we can't guarantee the dates of those events beyond what their function managers promise, we feel that the rewards we're offering are worth waiting for. In regards to printed materials, we do have alternative printers and other production avenues in mind in case our primary avenues don't come through for us.

In regard to the text of the book itself, it is always saved in at least three different locations in three different ways, allowing us to make up for lost ground if we lose one-third or even two-thirds of what we have. It is very, very unlikely that we would ever lose all three, but we are prepared for that eventuality as well with outlines and other guides to help me as the author reconstruct the story.

FAQ

Rewards

Pledge $5 or more

You'll receive a special thanks in the book and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

5 backers
Limited (95 left of 100)

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook along with access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

You selected

Pledge $15 or more

1 backer

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, special thanks in the book, and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

3 backers
Limited (22 left of 25)

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, an exclusive Apocalypse Springs patch, special thanks in the book, and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

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Pledge $30 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook along with an exclusive "Apocalypse Springs" T-Shirt and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $40 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, a softcover print of the book in one of four exclusive art covers, an "Apocalypse Springs" patch, and access to the Backer Forums and Progress journal.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

3 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, a softcover print of the book in one of four exclusive art covers, an "Apocalypse Springs" T-Shirt and patch, plus a special thanks, topped off with access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $55 or more

0 backers
Limited (80 left of 80)

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, a softcover print of the book in one of four exclusive art covers, an exclusive "Backer" T-shirt and patch, a special thanks, and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $65 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the ebook, a hardcover print of the book in one of four exclusive art covers, an "Apocalypse Springs" T-Shirt and patch, plus a special thanks in the front of the book and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook along with a softcover print of the book in one of four exclusive art covers, a package of "The War Z" (including a copy of the game, three guest keys, and $15 of in-game currency), plus a special thanks, and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, a softcover print of the book in one of four exclusive art covers, an exclusive "Backer" T-shirt and patch, a special thanks, and an exclusive 8"x10" canvas art print, as well as access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $125 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a signed DRM-free copy of the eBook, a leatherbound print of the book, "Apocalypse Springs" T-Shirt and patch, plus a special thanks and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a DRM-free copy of the eBook, an "Apocalypse Springs" T-shirt and patch, as well as our special survivor's pack of goodies, not to mention access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

0 backers

You'll receive a DRM-free copy of the eBook, a leatherbound copy, a hardcover copy, a softcover copy, and a messenger bag to carry it all around. You'll also get access to the Backer Forums and the Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers

You'll get a lifetime supply of all my books as long as they're produced in a DRM-free eBook form. You'll also get a leatherbound copy of "Apocalypse Springs: Reanimation," a character in the series, and both the "Apocalypse Springs" and "Backer" T-shirts and patches, topped off with access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

You'll receive a lifetime supply of all my books as long as they're produced in a DRM-free eBook form. You'll also be able to meet us in Seattle to receive a full VIP zombie-filled weekend with the crew from the book, including the characters, the author, and our photographers for the book and art of the series. We'll take you through next year's ZombieCon, include you in the book signing with us, and take you for a whirlwind tour of all the zombie culture in Seattle. Estimated delivery dates on certain rewards subject to change.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

You'll receive a lifetime supply of all my books as long as they're produced in a DRM-free eBook form. We'll also fly you to Seattle to receive a full VIP zombie-filled weekend with the crew from the book, including the characters, the author, and our photographers for the book and art of the series. We'll take you through next year's ZombieCon, include you in the book signing with us, and take you for a whirlwind tour of all the zombie culture in Seattle. Of course, you'll also receive the T-shirts, patches, hardcover, softcover and leatherbound copies, and access to the Backer Forums and Progress Journal. Open to those within the 48 contiguous states of the USA. Estimated delivery dates on certain rewards subject to change.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2013

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (2 left of 2)

You'll receive the full package for your generosity, which will include all the rewards of the previous tiers, though instead of flying you to Seattle for ZombieCon, we'll fly you to Las Vegas for zombie-themed fun and all the sights and sounds Vegas has to offer (not to mention a shooting session with an "anti-zombie expert" and a gourmet dinner with the cast and author). "International shipping" includes plane ticket costs. Open to those within the 48 contiguous states of the USA. Estimated delivery dates on certain rewards subject to change.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Jan 29, 2013 - Mar 2, 2013
(32 days)

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